A file photo of PM Nawaz meeting late King Abdullah. PHOTO: PID
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced one-day mourning in Pakistan for late King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and departed for Saudi Arabia to attend the King's funeral.
King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz died on Friday in Riyadh. Believed to be around 90 years old, the King was hospitalised in December suffering from pneumonia and had been breathing with the aid of a tube.
The funeral prayer for the deceased king will be offered in Masjid Prince Turki Bin Abdul Aziz after Asr prayer in Riyadh. During the mourning period in Pakistan, the national flag will fly at half-mast.
Expressing grief and sorrow over the demise of King Abdullah, PM Nawaz said the late ruler had a "special place in the heart of every Pakistani being the custodian of Islam's holy mosques".
He further extended condolences to the Saudi royal family as well as the people of the Kingdom, saying the Pakistani nation stands with their Saudi brethren in this hour of grief.
PM Nawaz had visited the ailing King last week and inquired after his health.
COMMENTS (17)
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These people commenting here are really frivolous and have no idea about diplomacy. What weirdos?!
It's proper that he went for the burial. You have no idea how insulting it is in the Arab world not to attend a funeral. Stop trying to destroy our stature and come in the way of for diplomacy.
Grow up !
Nawaz Sharif has no roots in the Pakistani soil. He is more loyal to India, Saudia than the motherland. His heart bleeds for the natural demise of a 90 year old foreigner, but fails to feel the pain of thousands of Pakistanis butchered at the hands of terrorists sponsored by the same 90 year old.
Nawaz sharif did not care to visit peshawar when people died in a bomb blast in church in peshawar and then in qissa khawani bazaar.But he had all the time to visit Saudi Arabia and establish personal contacts on tax payers money.
Another free ride on public funds with his bro and a plane load of family vacationists who always have their bags ready.
See your priorities...This man has not gone to world economic forum and had gone to saudi arabia...some serious issue with pakistan...
As a Muslim, I pray that may Allah bless the departed soul.
But the King had no special place in my heart, or of any Pakistani's for that matter.
Nawaz Sharif, like his party, is a darbari, so he can't speak on my behalf.
Its protocol He has to go and visit . Pl stop picking on NS ..
They are the one's who are not letting Karachi and Gawadar port develop. Because they know if taht happens, UAE and RSA are going to lose their clout.
My condolences to Nawaz Sharif. He has lost his father today.
I am a Patriotic Pakistani, but the Late King did not hold a tinniest bit of place in my Heart.
He DID NOT hold a special place in my heart. Speak for yourself NS.
He has no special place in the heart of this Pakistan. He funded terrorism in our country along with UAE and other Arab countries.
I'd rather end terms with our "brothers" and start making new friends who are not likely to stab in our back.
"special place in the heart of every Pakistani" No, not in my heart. Talk for yourself Mr. PM
Our PM has absolutely no spine. Saudis also have a special place for Pakistan in their hearts - it's their harem state. And that's unlikely to change with the new king. ET will probably censor this
Pakistan is the first country in the world, ruler of which have personal relations with other states especially gulf Muslim states , any one could ask in this democratic country what type relation theses are and on what cost.
Sir, a few people died in Peshawar too. Try to find some time from your busy schedule and make a short stop over there too. If you are not out of fuel by than. Thank you.
Another freebie at the tax payers expense. Whilst there will the Prime Minister request the new king to stop direct financing to seminaries in Pakistan?